Teenager in court over hammer raid

A TEENAGER was due to appear in court today following an attempted smash-and-grab raid on a jeweller which was foiled by a brave pensioner.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was allegedly part of a gang which targeted an Ernest Jones shop in Richmond, using sledgehammers.

The attack was interrupted by 84-year-old pensioner William Groves, who was the only person to intervene as a crowd of 50 looked on.

The retired civil servant barged into one of the would-be thieves and ripped off his balaclava shouting: "I've got your DNA."

His actions shocked the robber and his accomplice into discarding their weapons and fleeing empty-handed. Mr Grove, who served in the RAF, had been waiting at a bus stop when the attack took place.

He said: "My plan was to carry out a move I had been taught in the Forces and wait for others to help. I was going to grab his head and put my knee in the man's back before grabbing him round the chest, holding him until others intervened."

The thugs were then chased by three other bystanders, including a seven-year-old boy who took down the number plate of the getaway car.

Three weeks later, a 17-year-old was arrested in connection with the incident. He was charged with non-residential burglary and remanded into custody until his court appearance today.